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HomeMy WebLinkAbout21.03.03 - Minutes, Veterans Advisory CommitteeMinutes from the Veteran’s Advisory Committee Meeting No. 4, March 3, 2021 Call to Order The Zoom meeting started at about 1835. A quorum was present. The presiding officer was Jake Demers. The Pledge of Allegiance was said. Members present or absent. Chair Jacob (Jake) Demers Vice Chair Starlene Hamilton William Ruland, Secretary Laura Lane-Unsworth David Swain Commissioner Jeff Cline Teresa Spruill Stephanie Pulver Victoria Sterling, Behavioral Health Rep. Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs (position currently vacant) Agenda for the night Call to Order, Quorum call, Pledge of Allegiance President Jake Demars Reading and approval of the minutes of last meeting Guest Introductions Laura Lane-Unsworth Presentation Linda Bergofsky, Coordinator, Frederick County VAC Old business Follow up on what commissioners are able to do about transit ID card Status of replacement on the VAC New business Jake Demars Adjourn Presentation by Linda Bergofsky, Coordinator, Frederick County VAC After Laura gave introductions, including introducing Sharon D. Jackson, Chair of the Frederick VAC, the following was presented: 1. The Frederick VAC has 7 voting members with 8 ex-officio members. 2. They meet monthly. 3. Initially they engaged in fact-finding and to understand their mission. They found how many veterans were in Frederick County, where they were, what their needs were— homelessness, knowledge of VA benefits, etc.—and heard from Howard and Carroll counties for information. 4. They tried to ID the issues and establish priorities: a. Mental health b. Housing c. Transportation d. Hospice e. FAQs 5. Typically, they had 20+ attendees at their meetings. 6. They have been using WebX for their meetings and it has been broadcast on the county cable channel and live streamed on Facebook. 7. They have a website for their committee as well as a dynamic calendar. She said that she could put the Washco meetings on their calendar. 8. Linda said that she would provide us the contact information for the state. 9. They contacted Steve A. Cohen for training in Rockville. 10. They contacted the local Post Commanders. Initially there was some startup issues but once they saw that the VAC was engaged, the contact was established. 11. They have a mailing list that they use to get the word out for targeted audiences. 12. They key was for their VAC was to get their individual members to work on issues that they were passionate about. 13. They plan at least two meetings at a time, which helped them with better planning. 14. They have established an executive committee that usually meets prior to the regular meeting that helps them get things done. Additional Business Commissioner Cline gave a note about a Korean Vet Memorabilia project. The VAC felt that we would discuss this item at the next meeting. Bill agreed to take the Open Meetings Act training and provide information back to the VAC about what needs to be done in that area. There was no update on the status of finding a new member. This will be discussed next meeting. Approval of the minutes The minutes for the February 3, 2021, meeting, was sent to the Committee prior to this meeting. A motion was made and seconded and the minutes were accepted by unanimous vote. The meeting was adjourned upon a motion, a second, and a unanimous vote. Next Zoom meeting is scheduled for April 7, 2021 at 1830. The entire year of Zoom links have been sent to the committee previously. An additional link was mailed to David Swain.